The University of Maine is committed to maintaining a respectful, fair campus environment, free from discrimination or harassment. The goal of the University is to prevent discrimination or harassment from occurring and to provide an effective means of raising and promptly resolving complaints. The Procedure for Resolving Equal Opportunity Concerns for Outside Complainants may be used by anyone from outside the University1who believes that he or she has been discriminated against, harassed, or denied access based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, including transgender status or gender expression, national origin or citizenship status, age, disability, or veterans status. Sex discrimination complaints alleging discrimination based on marital status, pregnancy, or parental status may also be raised through this procedure.
A person who has a question, concern, or complaint about discrimination or harassment should contact the Equal Opportunity Officer by mail at the University of Maine, Room 101, 5754 North Stevens Hall, Orono, ME 04469-5754, or by phone at (207) 581-1226 (voice and TTY 581-9484), as soon as possible but not later than 300 days after the alleged incident. The Equal Opportunity Officer will provide information about the University’s policy and relevant laws suggest ways to resolve the problem, and assist in trying to resolve the situation. In seeking a resolution, the Equal Opportunity Officer may suggest that the complainant speak directly to the individual whose actions are the subject of concern or may act as an intermediary.
A person who wishes to file a complaint must do so in writing. The written complaint should include the specific allegations, the name of the person accused (if applicable), and why the complainant believes that the actions were discriminatory or harassing. The Equal Opportunity Officer will refer the complaint to the Investigations Coordinator for the University of Maine System, who will investigate and attempt to resolve the complaint. Investigations will be conducted as confidentially as possible to protect the rights of both the complainant and the person accused. Consultation with, and involvement of other individuals will be strictly limited to those who may have information about the allegation or who need to know that a complaint has been made. The investigation and efforts to resolve the complaint will normally be completed within thirty (30) calendar days.
If the complaint can be resolved to the satisfaction of both the complainant and the person accused, the Equal Opportunity Officer will document the resolution in a letter to them. If a mutually acceptable resolution is not reached, the Investigations Coordinator will determine
whether there is a reasonable basis to believe a violation of the University’s discrimination or harassment policy has occurred. The Investigations Coordinator will inform the complainant, the person accused, and the responsible administrator in writing about the results of the investigation. If the finding is that no violation of discrimination or harassment policy has occurred, the Investigations Coordinator’s written report will conclude the matter.
If the finding is that a violation has occurred, the Investigations Coordinator may also provide information about appropriate remedies to the responsible administrator, who is the line administrator (for example, the dean, director, vice president, or president) who is responsible for acting on the findings.
When a complaint alleges misconduct by a University employee, either the complainant or the accused employee may appeal the responsible administrator’s decision to the Director of Equal Opportunity for the University of Maine System within seven (7) days of receiving the decision. The Director of Equal Opportunity can be reached at the University of Maine System, 16 Central Street, Bangor, Maine 04401, telephone (207) 973-3372 (voice) or (207) 973-3262 (TDD/TTY).
A complaint filed under this procedure does not limit the complainant’s right to file a complaint with the relevant government agency, such as the Maine Human Rights Commission, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.
1 Individuals who may use this complaint procedure include anyone who is neither an employee of the University nor a student taking a credit course at the University.